Element Escapes is a locally based Queenstown property management company specialising in Airbnb and short-term rental management across Queenstown, Arrowtown and the wider Wakatipu region. With over 15 years operating in the Queenstown accommodation market, we manage the full rental operation on your behalf, from Airbnb listing optimisation and dynamic pricing to housekeeping, 24/7 guest communication and property care. Owners benefit from a fully hands-off management experience, transparent reporting, monthly payouts and owner statements, and a local team they can reach directly.
15+
Years in Queenstown
24/7
Local Support
No Lock-in
Contracts
Why Queenstown Owners Choose Element Escapes
Owners across Queenstown and Arrowtown hand their property to Element Escapes because we focus on the things that drive long-term performance: local expertise, flexible terms, transparent reporting and round-the-clock support.
15 years on the ground in Queenstown
A long-standing local team with deep market knowledge of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the surrounding area. We’ve worked the accommodation market through every season.
No long-term lock-in
Flexible owner agreements with no fixed-term contracts. You can opt in or out as your plans for the property change.
24/7 local support
A locally-based on-call manager, not an offshore call centre. Real people responding to guest issues and owner questions, day or night.
Integrated multi-channel strategy
One team managing Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, with dynamic pricing and listing optimisation across every channel.
Full owner-portal transparency
Live visibility of bookings and blocked dates, plus monthly statements covering all earnings and expenses.
Full-Service Holiday Home Management
Our Queenstown team manages the full rental operation on your behalf. That means listing optimisation and dynamic pricing across Airbnb, Booking.com and direct channels, coordinated housekeeping between every stay, 24/7 guest communication, and regular property inspections.
We actively track seasonal demand, local events and competitor rates to keep your property performing year-round. Owners receive monthly statements, transparent reporting and direct access to the team managing their home.
Your property listed where guests are searching
Testimonials
Hear From Our Owners
“I can’t rate Luke and Lucy highly enough! They are fantastic property managers and our guests have all commented on how impressed they have been with Luke and Lucy. They are attentive, have good communication and are quick to action.”
Amber W., Property Owner, Queenstown
“Lucy and Luke have quickly and successfully built momentum on the listing and consistently provide an amazing experience for guests. The reviews from guests speak for themselves — comms are exceptional. We really enjoy our partnership with Element Escapes — long may it continue!”
Leon M., Property Owner, Queenstown
“Luke, Lucy and George have done a wonderful job managing our property in Queenstown since December 2021. Always contactable, and they take care of the place whilst keeping all the guests happy.”
Bill B., Property Owner, Queenstown
How It Works
Getting Started is Simple
1
Get a Free Appraisal
We assess your property and provide a realistic income estimate based on current Queenstown market rates, seasonality and comparable properties. No lock-in, no obligation — just honest numbers to help you decide.
2
We Set Everything Up
We arrange professional photography, craft optimised listings across Airbnb, Booking.com, direct and more, and coordinate everything your property needs to launch. Once photo-ready, we can have you live and taking bookings within 24 hours.
3
We Handle It All
We manage pricing, guest communications, cleaning coordination, maintenance and owner reporting. Your property runs fully hands-off from day one — we take care of the details so you never have to.
4
You Get Paid
Receive monthly income statements and direct payments straight to your account. Track bookings, earnings and performance any time through your owner portal — full transparency, no surprises.
Ready to earn more from your Queenstown property?
Property Profile Management and Marketing
Listing and Profile Launch
We build optimised listings across all major platforms with professional copywriting that highlights your property’s unique appeal. Every listing goes live only after a thorough site inspection and a comprehensive guest welcome guide is in place.
Pricing and Rates Optimisation
We use dynamic pricing tools and regular market analysis to keep your rates competitive year-round. Minimum stay rules are adjusted seasonally to reduce gaps and maximise revenue across peak, shoulder and off-peak periods.
Marketing and Visibility
Your property is promoted across Airbnb, Booking.com, our direct booking site, Facebook, Instagram and targeted email campaigns. All listings are SEO optimised for maximum search visibility.
Performance and Reputation
We monitor reviews across all platforms to protect your ratings and manage your online reputation. Monthly owner statements cover income, expenses and occupancy in full.
Guest Communication
Our team handles all guest communication from enquiry to post-stay, seven days a week with after-hours cover for urgent matters. Every guest receives personalised responses, clear pre-arrival information and on-the-ground support throughout their stay.
Property Services
Included Services
- Property secured and checked on guest departure
- 24/7 availability for in-house guest maintenance queries
- Co-ordination of maintenance and repairs on your behalf
Optional Extras
Available at an additional cost:
- Garden maintenance: lawn mowing, gutter clearing, leaf collection and weed spraying
- Hot tub service: chemical management, drain and refill, filter maintenance
Housekeeping
Housekeeping is tailored to each property and managed end to end.
Professional Hotel Standard Cleaning
- Cleaning partners trained to hotel quality standard
- Damage review and post-stay inspections
Linen Supply
- Full linen management including ordering and returns
- Hotel standard bed linen, bath and hand towels, face cloths and tea towels
Consumables Restocking
Every property is stocked with essential toiletries and kitchen basics so guests feel at home from arrival — shampoo, soap, dishwashing liquid, laundry powder, toilet paper, tea, coffee and sugar.
Additional Services
Property Furnishing Package
We offer full and partial furnishing packages in partnership with a local interior designer who sources quality furniture, linens and accessories. We manage the process end to end, whether you need to outfit an entire home or just a few key pieces.
Resource Consents
Short-term rentals in Queenstown require resource consent. We guide you through the process and connect you with a trusted local specialist who will handle the requirements efficiently.
Looking for Something?
Frequently Asked Questions
Element Escapes is a professional short-term rental management company serving Queenstown & surrounding areas including Arrowtown, Frankton, Jack’s Point, Hanleys Farm, Moke Lake, Fernhill, Shotover Country and Lake Hayes. We specialise in holiday home management and Airbnb property management, taking care of everything from marketing and guest communications to cleaning, maintenance, and financial reporting, giving homeowners a hands-off experience while maximising rental income.
Managing a short-term rental in Queenstown & surrounding areas can be rewarding, but it also comes with responsibilities, from bookings to cleaning, maintenance, and marketing. Element Escapes specialises in full-service short-term rental management, helping homeowners maximise income while minimising stress.
Here’s why homeowners choose us:
- Full-service holiday home management in Queenstown from marketing to maintenance
- Local team with 24/7 support for emergencies
- Professional Airbnb property management with hands-on local oversight
- Flexible agreements with no long-term contracts
Our services suit:
- Holiday homeowners wanting a stress-free rental experience
- Investment property owners who want to maximise Airbnb or short-term rental income in Queenstown
- Anyone seeking professional property management without the hassle
We manage homes of all sizes, from studios to multi-bedroom houses, with no minimum or maximum size is required.
Our local property managers perform ingoing and outgoing checks on guest arrival and departure to ensure your property stays in top condition. We also have an on-call manager available 24/7 for emergencies. Our team lives locally, is dedicated, and responds promptly to any urgent issues.
Absolutely! With the Element Escapes Owner Portal, you can easily add your own reservations, block off personal dates, or manage availability at any time. This gives you full control over when your property is available for guests while still benefiting from professional management for the rest of the year.
We offer a flexible, easy-to-understand agreement with no long-term contracts. Clear terms mean homeowners can start earning rental income quickly and confidently.
Once we have professional photos and complete a property inspection, your listing can go live within 24 hours, so you can start generating income almost immediately.
Rental income is paid monthly with a detailed owner statement showing all earnings and expenses. Element Escapes also manages payments for repairs and maintenance, giving you full transparency and making it easy to track and organise your property’s finances.
Pricing / Management Fees: Element Escapes charges a simple management fee based on booking revenue, with no upfront setup costs. Our service covers everything from listing management and pricing optimisation to guest communications, marketing, housekeeping coordination, property oversight, and owner reporting. We take care of the day-to-day management so owners can enjoy a hands-off experience while maximising their property’s potential. For a personalised income estimate and management fee proposal tailored to your property, request a free appraisal.
If something needs to be repaired at your property, we will contact you directly to discuss the issue. We then arrange for one of our trusted contractors, who understand the short-term rental market, to carry out the repair. For urgent issues, we ensure problems are fixed promptly to keep your property guest-ready and maintain a smooth experience for both owners and guests.
Owners should have insurance covering short-term rental use and notify their provider if the property will be rented. This ensures your property is protected while hosting guests.
We offer advice and can connect you with a trusted local company that specialises in navigating the approval process. They have the expertise to guide you through the legal requirements to ensure your property complies with local regulations for short-term rentals.
Yes! We coordinate all cleaning, linen, and restocking, ensuring your property is professionally prepared for every guest. Cleaning is carried out by our contracted cleaning partners, trained to hotel quality standard.
Linen & Towels:
- Bed linen, pillowcases, bath towels, hand towels, face cloths, bath mats, and tea towels
- Coordinated by Element Escapes, including ordering, collection, and replenishment, with our cleaning partners handling on-site changeovers
Consumables:
- Essentials like toiletries, kitchen basics, and guest supplies are restocked as needed
- Keeps your property fully equipped and guest-ready
Element Escapes coordinates contracted housekeeping partners as part of every management agreement to keep guest experience and review scores consistent across the portfolio. If you have a preferred cleaner you’d like us to consider, we can look at this on a case-by-case basis. Get in touch and we can discuss what works for your property and how we can keep service standards aligned.
To provide a guest-ready property, owners should provide:
- Bedding & Linen: mattress protectors, pillow protectors, duvets, pillows, blankets, cushions
- Kitchenware & Consumables: plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, mugs, pots, pans, cooking utensils, enough for maximum occupancy plus extras
- Working Appliances & Amenities: reliable kitchen appliances, heating/cooling, Wi-Fi, and other essential services
- Guest Comfort & Safety: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, and secure locks
Providing these essentials ensures a comfortable, convenient, and safe stay, helping maintain excellent reviews and maximise occupancy.
We can assist with furniture procurement and styling to suit your property’s size, layout, and design aesthetic. Our team works with a trusted local interior designer to ensure your holiday home is not only functional but also visually appealing for guests. Whether you need help selecting furniture, décor, or layout optimisation, we provide guidance to create a comfortable, guest-ready space that maximises both bookings and positive reviews.
Yes! Whether your property is currently managed by another company or you are managing your own listing, Element Escapes can take over.
- A new listing under our profile will be created to ensure your property benefits from professional management, marketing, and guest services
- We handle the transition smoothly, including calendar setup, pricing optimisation, and ensuring no disruption to upcoming bookings
- Our goal is to maximise occupancy and revenue while giving you a hands-off experience
Your property will receive maximum exposure through multiple channels:
- Direct bookings via the Element Escapes website, allowing guests to book easily while avoiding platform fees
- Major booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and others
Marketing Details:
- Professional Photography: high-quality images showcase your property in the best light
- Optimised Listings: descriptions, amenities, and titles are carefully written for each platform
- Targeted Marketing: listings are promoted across all platforms to reach the widest audience
- Dynamic Pricing: rates are adjusted based on market demand, seasonality, and local events to maximise occupancy and revenue
Minimum Stay & Seasonal Rules:
- Flexible Stays: set minimum nights per booking depending on season or event demand
- Optimised Occupancy: short or long stays are strategically priced to maximise revenue
We keep homeowners informed with regular updates and detailed statements via email, phone, or WhatsApp:
- Monthly owner statements showing income, expenses, and occupancy
- Direct communication about repairs, maintenance, or guest issues
- Transparency at every step to ensure you are fully informed without extra effort
If you’re looking for professional holiday home management in Queenstown & surrounding areas, Element Escapes is here to take care of everything. Contact us today to list your property and start maximising your rental income!